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5 Things Homeowners Need To Know About Needle Ants

7 August 2015

Evan Patterson

Everyone has heard of fire ants before, but not everyone knows that fire ants aren't the only invasive species of ant taking over American backyards. You may also encounter needle ants in your yard. Here are five things you need to know about these unwelcome visitors.

What do they look like?

Needle ants are fairly large ants. The workers can be anywhere between 3.4 and 5.0 mm long. They are dark brown or black, with orange mouth parts. They also have light yellow hair on their bodies. These characteristics make them fairly easy to identify.

Are they found in all states?

Needle ants are originally from Asia and were originally brought to the United States back in the 1930s. Fortunately, needle ants aren't found in all states, at least not yet. There have been verified sightings of this pest in four states: Georgia, Virginia, and both North and South Carolina. People also claim to have seen them in Alabama and Tennessee, but these sightings haven't been verified.

You may see them in other states as they expand their range into nearby states. Even the northern states aren't safe, since needle ants can survive in cooler temperatures.

Do they sting?

As you may have guessed from the name "needle ant", needle ants have a painful sting. People who have been stung describe it as an initial burning sensation followed by the sensation of being stabbed by numerous needles in the area of the sting. The pain can last for about two weeks after the initial sting. That reaction is bad enough, but for some people, it's even worse. The venom of the needle ant leads to anaphylactic reactions in some people. This serious allergic reaction can be fatal. You'll want to keep your distance from these ants!

Do they infest houses?

The one good thing about needle ants is that they're outdoor ants. They like to live outdoors, in sheltered areas like underneath rocks and logs. You may also find them hiding underneath your welcome mats, decorative statues, or potted plants. To avoid accidentally introducing these ants to your house, shake out any objects that have been left outside before you bring them inside.

How do you get rid of them?

You can get rid of needle ants with toxic baits. Place these baits in areas where you have seen the ants. The ants will take the poisoned bait back to their queen, and the colony will be destroyed. If all homeowners do this when they see needle ants, the spread of this invasive species may be halted. 

Needle ants are an invasive species with a painful sting. If you see them in your yard, take action right away to get rid of them. Contact a local pest control company, like Cavanaugh's Professional Termite & Pest Services, for more information.

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